tubthumping.

You know it's going to be a brilliant day when you wake up in the morning, and you hear your mother singing Chumbawamba's ''Tubthumping'' from the bathroom,feeling ever so positive about herself. She had a shower,an awesome breakfast (pureed apple and pear with cinnamon) and was on top of the world. I nearly managed to blow up my breakfast of porridge in the microwave,but had what remained of the sticky mess with dark chocolate.

On the way into Tamworth she visualised her cancer as she walked,knowing that the bad cells were going to suffer. Then we split up and I went shopping for 2 1/2 hours while she went to the dentist,picking up some rather awesome sale goodies from The Body Shop and HMV,as well as a book on New Age and some paperbacks that came to £1.50. I rang Student Finance and accommodation in Manchester when we came back,and it was a great feeling because I felt ready for my second year. I watched a load of German stuffs on YouTube (next year is keeping me sane planning for my year out to Germany) and took a nap of 2 hours before I had a healthy tea.

Then I spoke to my unfortunately (at times) toxic dad,who has literally hijacked the whole thing (unlike me,who has taken it in their stride and lived as normal,which is the story of my life) by telling me that he hasn't stopped crying. Admittedly I did feel very numb for a couple of days,but after our Sisterhood left Tamworth,I started to feel normal again after coming to terms with the diagnosis on Thursday,then two more women coming into the fold over the weekend to support my mother. I just wanted to be myself and I was allowed to be by everyone. When I confronted my dad with trying to be normal for Mum's sake,he arrogantly turned to me and told me that he ''would be how he wanted'' which irritated me so much.

Importantly,I am a woman,and I am a survivor. And so is my mother. I think this song is reminiscient of the good times that face us,and the strength that we are exhibiting towards what has been chucked at us. We have our partners who are behind us and everything that we do. And that's what I hold onto.